An In-depth Analysis of Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s Immigration Stances and Criticisms from Republicans
3 min read
Senator Bob Casey, a Democratic representative from Pennsylvania, has been a subject of intense scrutiny and criticism from the Republican party regarding his shifting stance on immigration issues. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Casey’s immigration-related voting history and the ensuing controversy.
Fox News reported that Casey was slammed by Republicans for not supporting a controversial Senate immigration bill earlier this month, which prompted criticisms from the GOP regarding his inconsistent stance on immigration fixes during election years and his opposition to them in off years. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesperson, Phillip Letsou, accused Casey of lying to Pennsylvanians and being complicit in the crisis.
Casey, who is running for re-election in Pennsylvania against Republican Dave McCormick, defended his stance by accusing Senate Republicans of playing politics on the failed Senate immigration bill. He argued that Republicans were prioritizing their presidential candidate’s campaign over addressing the border crisis.
Throughout his political career, Casey has demonstrated a pattern of supporting stronger border security measures during election years while opposing them in off years. For instance, in 2006, when Casey was running for Senate, he campaigned against amnesty and pledged to stand up for American workers by opposing it. However, in 2007 and 2013, when he was not up for re-election, Casey supported legislation that included a pathway to citizenship, which his critics labeled as a de facto amnesty.
In 2006, Casey also supported a fence at the southern border and penalties for companies that hired illegal immigrants. He criticized his opponent, Rick Santorum, for not doing enough to punish companies that hired illegal immigrants. However, in 2008, when Casey was not up for re-election, he opposed a border fence and voted against amendments requiring the completion of a border fence.
Moreover, Casey has voted for federal benefits to go to illegal immigrants multiple times in years that he was not running for re-election, including voting against an amendment requiring individuals to sign sworn statements affirming their citizenship before receiving Obamacare health care benefits. In 2015, when Casey was not running for Congress, he voted against cloture on a bill that would prohibit federal benefits for illegal immigrants and ended up voting against cloture a total of four times on Homeland Security funding that would have prevented federal benefits to illegal immigrants.
The controversy surrounding Casey’s immigration stances is not new. In 2009, Casey voted to kill amendments that would have strengthened e-verify screening and backed a motion by fellow Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer to table a Republican amendment that would have forced federal agencies to ensure that government contractors check the citizenship status of employees.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick, who is challenging Casey in the 2024 Pennsylvania Senate race, accused Casey of being complicit in the crisis and not taking decisive action to help secure the border during his 18-year tenure in the Senate. McCormick argued that Pennsylvanians deserve a leader who will make shutting down the border to illegal immigration his top priority.
In conclusion, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s immigration stances have been a subject of intense scrutiny and criticism from the Republican party. His shifting stance on immigration fixes during election years and his opposition to them in off years have led to accusations of being complicit in the crisis and lying to Pennsylvanians. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of Casey’s immigration-related voting history and the ensuing controversy.
